Eat organic "For Life"

             The demand for organic food is at an all-time high. The reason? Consumers are becoming more and more concerned about the safety and nutritional quality of the foods their families consume. Organic foods are defined as the following-natural, untreated, unrefined and whole in source. They are grown without chemical pesticides, herbicides and without genetic modification.

Pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and growth hormones compromise the safety and nutritional quality of our food. That’s why I encourage our practice members to “shop organic” whenever possible. We are a wellness office committed to helping patients adopt a way of life that focuses on preventing health problems: not masking symptoms with medications. I highly recommend attending one our nutritional workshops to be better informed.

Navigating Labels

           Organic labeling standards are determined at the federal level by the United States Department of Agriculture. “Labeling of products provides important information for consumers both about the contents and taste of the product as well as the process by which they are produced. In the US, products bearing this strictly voluntary marking must be 95 percent pure? Because studies show that organic varieties may help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer. The purer the food, the more protection it offers. Pesticides are also linked with a number of health disorders and illnesses’, including Parkinson’s disease and autism. Research also suggests the use of pesticides is linked to certain childhood cancers. Unfortunately, it remains a “shoppers beware” world. Some labels may indicate that a food product contains “organic ingredients.” But look a little closer, and you’ll find that these products also include high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives and artery-clogging fats. Natural foods and organic foods are not necessarily one in the same. For instance, all-natural applesauce may include nothing but apples and water. But if the apples were grown in orchards routinely sprayed with an array of chemicals and pesticides, the processed fruit product can NOT carry the “organic” label.

Making Organic Choices

 

Nectarines, peaches, red raspberries, apples, celery and spinach should be at the top of your organic shopping list. According to researchers for Consumer Reports, these fruits and vegetable tend to contain the highest levels of pesticide residue when grown non-organically. When purchasing organic foods for your family, don’t forget the baby! Nonorganic baby food is made of condensed fruits and vegetables that may contain potentially harmful pesticide residue. The refined grains used in infant cereal and pureed meat products in my opinion are also questionable.

Choosing organic meats

             The adage “you are what you eat” is particularly true when it comes to livestock. In the past, food animals roamed the hillsides and barnyards eating nutritious food and fattening up the old-fashioned way. Today, however, many farms are nothing but warehouses where animals are “locked” into cages and stalls. To minimize disease, animals are fed antibiotics on a regular basis. Worse yet, growth hormones are also included in the feed to ensure higher profits. The last stop for these antibiotics and growth hormones? The human body, YOUR BODY!

Figuring Out “Free-Range”

             What does it mean if an animal product is labeled “free-range?” In theory, it means that the animal was allowed to roam free and eat natural, nutrient-dense grasses and grains. In reality, however, in most countries the designation means virtually nothing.  For instance, free range is regulated by the USDA for use on poultry only (not eggs). Also, keep in mind that organic meat “factory farms” also exist. While the feed is organic, it still may not necessarily by as nutrient-dense as the feed of animals that roam wild. Unfortunately, the only way to ensure that free-range meat products are truly free-range is to visit the farm yourself, or shop at grocery stores with strict requirements on what their suppliers consider free-range farms. A lot of health food stores recently have adapted a numbering system to show the “health impact” of the animal and the farm that it was raised at.

Choose Local Produce for Optimum Nutrition

          More and more people are passing over grocery store fruits and vegetables in favor of those grown on small local farms – or even in their own backyards. Advantages of locally grown food include reduced environmental impact and support of the local economy. Altruism aside, many proponents of eating locally – or “locavores” – say that local food not only tastes better but is also better for you. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of a healthier ecosystem. (soil, plant life, animals and people)

The Fresh Difference

         The fruits and vegetables offered at a typical grocery store travel an average of 1,500 miles to get there from the farm. This means that they are picked several days before you buy them. Several studies indicate that the nutrient content – particularly vitamin C – degrades quickly once produce is picked. For instance, a red pepper may lose 25 percent of its vitamin C within 10 days of harvest, while chard can lose a whopping 60 percent of its vitamin C within a week. Ripeness also makes a difference, consider the contrast between the robust flavor of a home-grown tomato and the anemic taste of a grocery store tomato. Some crops, like tomatoes, must be picked before they are fully ripe if they are to survive the long journey to the market. Tomatoes grown for local consumption fully ripen on the vine, which translates into not only superior flavor but also a bigger nutritional punch. Vine-ripened tomatoes contain higher levels of vitamin C, carotenoids and other antioxidants. Diversity in fruit and vegetables options translates to a more nutritionally balanced plate for the consumer.

Organic Practices Mean Healthier Food

 

           Many small-scale farms follow organic growing practices to maintain soil and plant health. These techniques produce nutritionally superior fruits and vegetables.
Unlike the all-at-once nutrient boost of synthetic fertilizers, composted manure and other organic fertilizers offer a slow and steady release of nutrients – allowing plants to absorb more of them. Organic methods also result in crops with deeper roots, which absorb additional nutrients. Other research shows that the excess nitrogen included in synthetic fertilizers causes crops to contain too many nitrates, reduced essential amino acids and overall lower nutritional quality.

The cost factor

         The adage “you get what you pay for" is particularly true in the case of organic foods. While you may pay more at the checkout counter, you’ll save your health in the long run. How can you offset the cost of organic foods and other products? One way is by purchasing "in season. “Other ways to keep prices down, while you strive to keep quality up, include buying locally, in bulk and on sale.  I am a huge fan of going to the local farmers market which tends to satisfy all of the solutions discussed in this article, supports your community, and makes it easier to eat healthier for you and your entire family!